Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

October 13, 2014

MHA Newsline: Oct. 13, 2014

In this issue 

Senators urge CMS to better account for rural care needs

A bipartisan group of 34 senators, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, asked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to better account for the unique circumstances of rural providers in its rulemaking process. Citing problematic policies such as the outpatient therapy supervision requirement and 96-hour rule, they asked CMS to share additional information on how the agency incorporates rural health care considerations into the rulemaking process and monitors the impact of final regulations on rural costs and access to care. Thanks to Sens. Klobuchar and Franken for their support of Minnesota’s rural hospitals. Read the letter here.  return to top   

Ebola resources available on MHA website

The recent transmission of Ebola to a health care worker underscores the importance that hospitals continue to prepare to handle Ebola. We know that hospitals across Minnesota are closely following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health as it pertains to Ebola preparedness. To aid member hospitals, MHA has developed an Ebola preparedness resource page where we are posting guidance from CDC and MDH as well as resources from Minnesota hospitals and those in other states. If you have additional materials that you are able to share with other hospitals, please forward to us and we will add them.  return to top   

Member news: Children’s Hospitals and Clinics names new CEO

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota has named Robert (Bob) Bonar Jr. as chief executive officer, effective Dec. 8. Bonar replaces Dr. Alan Goldbloom who is retiring after more than a decade leading the hospital. 

Bonar brings more than two decades of experience driving significant growth and national recognition for pediatric health systems in Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and South Carolina. He currently serves as president and CEO of Seton Family of Hospitals and CEO of Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. Throughout his career, Bonar has focused on improving quality outcomes, establishing strategic partnerships within the community and furthering access to pediatric care for people from all backgrounds and walks of life. 

He holds a doctorate in health administration and policy from the Medical University of South Carolina and earned master’s degrees in administrative disciplines from West Virginia University and the University of Oklahoma. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia University. Bonar has held instructional roles at several academic medical centers across the country. He began his career as a teacher, while also serving as a paramedic in Morgantown, West Virginia.  return to top   

Health care professionals needed to fill vacancies on two statewide boards

The Minnesota Secretary of State has announced vacancies are available for the Trauma Advisory Council and Board of Psychology. Hospitals are encouraged to submit names of qualified professionals for these important boards. In particular, the Trauma Advisory Council is seeking seven health care professionals (see below) who practice in trauma-designated hospitals or directly with trauma patients. The Trauma Advisory Council was established to advise, consult with and make recommendations to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health regarding the development, maintenance and improvement of the statewide trauma system. 

The Board of Psychology has one vacancy for a master’s level psychologist. 

The following appointments are available on the Trauma Advisory Council:

  1. An attendant or ambulance director who is an EMT, EMT-I, or EMT-P;
  2. An emergency physician certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine whose practice includes emergency room care in a Level I, II, III, or IV trauma hospital;
  3. A rehabilitation specialist whose practice includes rehabilitation of patients with major trauma injuries or traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries;
  4. A physician certified by the American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice whose practice includes emergency department care in a Level III or IV trauma hospital located in a designated rural area;
  5. An orthopedic surgeon certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery whose practice includes trauma and who practices in a Level I, II, or III trauma hospital;
  6. A pediatrician certified by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics whose practice includes emergency department care in a Level I, II, III, or IV trauma hospital;
  7. A trauma program nurse manager or coordinator practicing in a Level I or II trauma hospital. 

For more information and to apply online, visit the Secretary of State website.  return to top   

Law aims to improve access to care for veterans

Map shows access to care in Minnesota 

Congress recently passed the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. The law is designed to alleviate the backlogs, long travel and wait times for some veterans accessing care through the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. The new law allows veterans living more than 40 miles away from a VA clinic or hospital to access health care through a private provider. Veterans who live within a 40-mile radius of a VA facility can only access private providers if the VA wait time exceeds 30 days. HealthCurve Analytics LLC, a joint venture of the Illinois and Missouri Hospital Associations, created a map of Minnesota, which displays a 40-mile radius around each of the VA facilities in the state. If your hospital is located outside one of the circles, veterans can now seek care at your facilities.  return to top